Argentina 4-1 United States: The Harsh Reality

It’s the morning after the night before and all throughout America I imagine there are many soccer fans with their heads stooped a little lower today. After being convincingly beaten 4-1 by Argentina in their first match in the Copa America, the harsh realization is that the United States was outclassed, outplayed and soundly beaten.The irony is that the United States had a fantastic first half performance and, when the second half began, the U.S. side started weaving the ball around as if they were the ones in the famous blue and white stripes (that of Argentina, not the US of A). What became the US’s downfall however was static defending. The team was outwitted by Riquelme’s tricky free kick for Argentina’s first goal and left Crespo with too much space for his first and second goal in the match.

When Aimar knocked in the brilliant header to make it 3-1, this was a classic case of U.S. defenders standing around as the ball was floated into the box and no one picked up Aimar who was streaming into the area.

On the fourth and final goal, Tevez (Liverpool should be signing him, not Torres) made a clinical run into space to beautifully control a pass over the U.S. defenders and then carefully knocked the ball into the back of the net with his first attempt. In this one, Jay DeMerit – who had a magnificent game – made one mistake and kept Tevez onside, which led to the goal.

During the early period of the second half, I was watching this match and thinking that I can’t remember the last time I saw England play this well. United States’s B-side was far better than England’s galacticos by far.Lastly, let me add that the United States needs to play more meaningful matches against quality opposition such as this one. They’ll learn more in one match against Argentina than they will against countries such as Guatemala, Denmark, China and Switzerland combined.

About Christopher Harris

Founder and publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris is the managing editor of the site. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who has lived in Florida since 1984, has supported Swansea City since 1979. He's also an expert on soccer in South Florida, and got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.
Harris launched EPL Talk in 2005, which was rebranded as World Soccer Talk in 2013.
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US should have played their first squad last night. What better way to find our where you really stand than to play Landon, Boca, Beasley and Dempsey against a top 5 team in the world. Plus, the Argentinians played their starting 11. Argentina, to be honest, looked old and predictable. They have at least 5 players-Ayla, Crespo, Riquelme, Veron, Sanetti, who are over 30. That is not the way to go. Thank god for Messi to lift them up.

I can understand why the Gold Cup would be Bradley’s priority number one, as it gives the US a spot at the Confederation in 2009.. but I have this gut feeling that negotiations with the MLS may have been one of the reasons for Bradley to not go with a stronger squad, regardless of whether he wanted to go in full force or not. Copa America is clearly more competitive compared to the Gold Cup and would have provided the A squad some valuable experience to take with them to the world cup. I’m assuming this was an opportunity for Bradley to really see what the young inexperienced players can do at the most highest pressure (I think last night game was a first cap for 3 players), however I can only see a handful of them with a realistic chance of being called up for the world cup (Johnson, Feilhaber, Bornstein, Keller, etc.).

With that said, the young squad defended well and created some opportunities on the counterattack in the first half. Bornstein did well in keeping Messi very quiet until Gaven came on. I thought EJ could have used a little more support up front and found some of the players repeating the same mistakes more than once (Justin Mapp). Things really began to change for the Argentines when Aimar came on for Cambiasso, and Tevez is just as lethal as ever. I wouldn’t mind seeing him an Arsenal shirt

My head isn’t lowered. For a B-C team performance against the A Argentina squad, the U.S. played some good soccer. Bornstein and Johnson both look like real talents that need exactly this kind of competition to sharpen their games. A couple of times Johnson showed that if only he would have the mental awareness on the pitch he could be a full-fledged european striker. Anyways, 4 to 1 was in my eyes not the whole story of the game. Of course, Argentina was going to win, but the U.S. showed promise. What however is with US wingers not knowing what to do with the ball in attack? They would run to the corner and then just hack at the ball or give it away.

The USA have a good side and still could qualify for the next round. Argentina were the better side on paper and on the field. This is football, and anything can happen on any given day. USA fans can take heart at the fact that the USA always give 110% Good Luck..USA

To the people behind US Soccer’s selection committee… Hope you’re happy with yourselves! Play the A-squad in the “two-team” Gold Cup (US & Mexico)… and play a B-Squad against the toughest nations in the Americas!

Way to go guys! Not only are you guys chickenshit about having the A-squad possibly losing to the likes of Argentina, Columbia, Mexico & Brazil by playing on a ground outside the US but you also insulted the tournament by bringing in a shit squad while the other nations value the Copa by bringing their best available.

I understand if the likes of Dempsey, Bocanegra, Beasely, Howard and any other European club players were obligated not to play but players like Landon Donovan, an MLS player asked by Bob Bradley to participate and lead USA in the Copa America pussied out to save what’s left his shit club in a shit league!Grow some hair on your balls Landycakes and take some pride in your national squad! You wanna be the best, play the best you pussy!Bob was right to strip you of the captaincy you whiny little bitch!

I just don’t know why the MLS even has their season during a time when their best players are likely to be called up for international duties. I’m sure there are other leagues that do this, and I’m sure MLS has a pretty damn good reason. Can anyone explain, since I’m too lazy to figure it out..

In the summer, MLS only has to compete with Major League Baseball. If it kept to the Euro calendar, it would have to compete not only with the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, etc. in the US market, but also NFL, college football, college basketball, NBA, and NHL.

To remain as visible and viable as possible it has to keep to that schedule. Now they could adjust the schedule to not conflict with FIFA international dates and tourneys, but…

The US side was sad. I have seen college teams play more cohesive, more determined soccer. Bradley is still playing with his “pawns” and doesnt have the killer soccer instincts that European managers have.

I saw Johnson get the penalty in the first half but didnt see him at all in the second have. He’s more of a magician than David Copperfield. Disappears when you need him most.

The MLS should stop wasting their time competing with other sporting leagues and start focusing on developing the quality of its game, players, and coaches. Our youth developing system and leagues needs a huge overhaul and all the incompetent leadership at USSF replaced.